(Israel Hayom) Nadav Shragai - Hundreds of Palestinian rioters have been arrested in eastern Jerusalem neighborhoods in recent weeks. In A-Tor, the dominant player behind the disturbances is Fatah. In Issawiya, it's the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. In Jabal Mukaber, it's Hamas. In Shuafat, both Fatah and Hamas are in charge. Somebody is subsidizing the thousands of packs of fireworks that are being launched by the rioters. Their legal fees are covered by the Palestinian Authority. Hamas websites are calling it "the third intifada." A group of Palestinians ambushed the Cohen family as they made their way to the Western Wall through Wadi Joz. In the French Hill neighborhood, a group set fire to a gas station. Palestinians in Shuafat have been firing on the Jewish neighborhood of Pisgat Ze'ev. In May, shots were fired at the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood. Shuafat residents said that armed gangs wielding handguns and AK-47 and M-16 rifles roam the streets. During their interrogation, some of the rioters said there is another layer of leadership beyond the local level that is guiding these events. After Palestinian attacks during the summer, the northern section of Jerusalem's light rail has seen a 70% drop in usage, leading to major traffic jams as commuters return to driving. On the Temple Mount, Palestinian demonstrators fly Hamas flags, while in the Jewish quarter of the Old City, residents see their Arab neighbors flying black flags similar to those of the Islamic State. Fatah and Hamas are trying to outdo each other in disseminating hatred of Jews and Israel, even while PA President Abbas speaks of nonviolence.
2014-09-22 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive